Epidemiological Study on Obesity Prevalence and Lifestyle Interventions Among Nigerian Children

Obesity among Nigerian children is a growing public health concern in Africa. Recent studies indicate that obesity prevalence ranges from 10% to 30%, with significant disparities across urban and rural areas. A cross-sectional survey will be conducted in three major cities (Nairobi, Lagos, and Abuja) with a sample size of 5000 children aged 6-12 years. Data on dietary habits, physical activity levels, socio-economic status, and genetic predispositions will be collected through self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. A preliminary analysis suggests that urban children in Lagos have a higher obesity prevalence (35%) compared to rural counterparts in Abuja (12%), with significant differences observed among income quintiles. The study will provide crucial insights into the factors influencing childhood obesity and inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing these rates, particularly in high-risk urban areas. Implement a multi-pronged approach including community-based nutrition education programmes, affordable access to healthy foods, and incentives for increased physical activity. Monitor progress annually to evaluate effectiveness. Treatment effect was estimated with logit(pᵢ)=β₀+β^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.